BSA Decisions Ngā Whakatau a te Mana Whanonga Kaipāho

Summary  

[This summary does not form part of the decision.] 

The Authority has declined to determine a complaint alleging a broadcast of the song ‘The Next Episode’ by Dr Dre (featuring Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg) contained swearing – specifically, the ‘f word’. Since the edited version of the song broadcast did not contain the alleged language, the Authority considered, in all the circumstances, the complaint should not be determined.

Declined to Determine (s 11(b), Broadcasting Act 1989 – in all the circumstances): Offensive and Disturbing Content

The broadcast

[1]  An edited version of the song ‘The Next Episode’ by Dr Dre (featuring Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg) was broadcast at 3pm on 16 January 2026 on Mai FM. The edited song included the following lyrics in the sections where the original contains the ‘f word’:

La-da-da-da-dah
It's the one and only D-O-double-G (Snoop Dogg, Snoop Dogg)
La-da-da-da-dah
You know I'm mobbin' with the D-R-E
Yeah, yeah, yeah
You know the West Coast is back for all you suckers
[…]

Chickens lookin' at me strange, but you know I don't care
Step up in this mother (What?) just a-swangin' my hair

[…]

La-da-da-da-dah
It's the one and only D-R-E (Dr. Dre, you little bustas)
La-da-da-da-da

You know I'm mobbin' with the D-O-double-G
Straight off them killer streets of CPT

[…]

The complaint

[2]  Mindy Cheung complained the broadcast breached the offensive and disturbing content standard of the Code of Broadcasting Standards in New Zealand for containing swearing – specifically, the ‘f word’ on more than one occasion. The complainant was ‘shocked and disappointed’ because at 3pm, ‘young children could have been listening’. It was ‘inappropriate to [broadcast] songs with swear words’ – broadcasters should be ‘mindful of the songs they play’, including their lyrics and the time of day they air.

The broadcaster’s response

[3]  MediaWorks Radio Ltd (MediaWorks) did not uphold the complaint. The song that aired on Mai FM was ‘an alternate version of the song with different lines replacing anything that might be offensive (as opposed to playing the uncensored version or just censoring the swear words)’. Accordingly, MediaWorks did not identify a breach of the offensive and disturbing content standard.

Outcome: Decline to determine

[4]  We have listened to the broadcast and read the correspondence outlined in the Appendix.

[5]  Section 11(b) of the Broadcasting Act 1989 authorises this Authority to decline to determine a complaint if it considers that, in all the circumstances of the complaint, it should not be determined.

[6]  In this case, the Authority considers it appropriate to exercise its s 11(b) discretion. The material complained about – the ‘f word’ – was not included in the broadcast identified by the complainant. The relevant broadcast also did not contain any other language tested in our 2025 Language that may offend in broadcasting survey.¹ We agree with MediaWorks that the song broadcast was the ‘clean radio’ version of ‘The Next Episode’, a censored edit of the song omitting language and references that some might deem offensive.

[7]  It therefore appears the complainant misheard what was broadcast and, accordingly, we decline to determine the complaint.

For the above reasons the Authority declines to determine the complaint. 

Signed for and on behalf of the Authority

Susie Staley
Chair
29 July 2026    

Appendix

The correspondence listed below was received and considered by the Authority when it determined this complaint:

1  Cheung's original complaint – 16 January 2026

2  MediaWorks’ decision on the complaint – 12 February 2026

3  Cheung's referral to the Authority (for no response) – 9 March 2026

4  MediaWorks' confirmation of no further comments – 19 June 2026

5  Cheung’s confirmation of language heard in broadcast – 24 June 2026

¹ Broadcasting Standards Authority | Te Mana Whanonga Kaipāho Language that may offend in broadcasting (17 November 2025)